I've got a 94 turbo wagon, and am to the point where I need to begin replacing AC components, but need advice on which ones to replace. The AC still works, but I have been getting a freon smell when I start the car, so I assume the evaporator is shot, but I suspected a leak in there since last year. The more troubling issue is the AC will work OK for about 10 minutes, then just start blowing warm air. The first time it happened, I assumed the freon had leaked out and the compressor had shut off, but when I went to try and add freon it wouldn't take it, and the gauge was reading zero. The next day I tried the AC and it was working, although not getting very cold, so I went to try to add freon again, but now the gauge was showing green. Not sure what this means, is it that the compressor is conking out after 10 minutes? It seems that 10 minutes is as long as it will run before it starts blowing warm. I'm tempted to replace everything, but then again I might be better off selling the car and getting something with working AC.

 

The compressor clutch might need to be reshimmed as well as replacing the evap.